Category Archives: what’s happening @ your library

We have a job opening! The official posting is here, but … well, we felt it was more than a little boring, and didn’t convey what we were actually looking for very well.

(here’s a picture of some dancing monsters that invaded the library recently, just to jazz this post up)

Without further ado, our new and improved job posting!

The Thomas J. Harrison Pryor Public Library is seeking a fun and engaging personality to manage the youth department and lead youth programing from 0 – 18. Funny socks encouraged but not required. No divas need apply! Duties include acting zany in public, collection development, thinking outside the box, storytelling (with all the voices), planning and organizing exciting events such as teen movie nights, teen and youth summer reading programs, toddler and bilingual story times, and more.

Crafty and organizational skills a plus! Must be a team player, and enjoy being around humans, even humans who shriek, ask inappropriate questions and/or may be slightly sticky.

Must have a tolerance for mild chaos and a reasonable amount of noise.

Of course, all the boring but necessary requirements apply: working knowledge of computers and common computer software, ability to perform troubleshooting on common technology, customer service skills, cheerful demeanor.

If this sounds like you, fill out an application online at www.pryorok.org or pick up a paper application at the Pryor, Oklahoma City Hall.

We are! And we have a lot planned for you this summer. Below are some highlights:

As it has for the past thirty-one years, this year’s Summer Reading Program – that’s SRP from now on – will start with a Turtle Race for ages 4 – 12! That will be on June the 4th, at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. New this year is the parade of turtles, but don’t worry: you don’t have to teach your turtle to walk on a leash (we’ve talked to some turtles and they are very against being walked on a leash.) Instead, bring your child’s trike, bicycle, wagon, or anything else on wheels (non-motorized, please). Decorations optional but encouraged! And of course, bring your turtles – just make sure they’re not snapping turtles, since we want to keep everyone’s fingers intact.

Through the rest of June and July, we’ll be offering special SRP performances every Tuesday at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. We’ve invited magicians and storytellers and puppeteers and so many others … you’ll just have to show up to see everything we have in store!

For those already signed up for the Bulldogger’s Club (registration is already closed for this, sorry), they will meet every Monday (starting May 30th) at 2:00 pm for read-alouds from the book The Bulldogger’s Club by Barbara Hay and related events.

For ages 12-17, make plans to join our Teen SRP and check back here for more details on how to get chances to win a Kindle Fire or an iPod Shuffle. We’ll also be offering some exciting teen programs on Thursdays in July – again, check back soon for more information!

And for the littlest guys, our 10:00 am Wednesday Toddler Storytime continues throughout the summer.

A very special ribbon cutting with staff of the
Thomas J Harrison Pryor Public Library.

Why is there a grocery store in the library, you ask? Because it’s fun … and educational. This wooden grocery store set up (complete with all kinds of realistic food, a cash register, play money, and even a credit card!) is from Lakeshore Learning, a company that sells “products designed with learning in mind,” and it’s part of our library’s continuing effort to promote literacy. You see, this may look like a fun toy, but it’s actually an Early Childhood Literacy Center. This type of imaginative play encourages the skills children need to get ready to learn to read, as well as other skills that will help them succeed in life. For small children, work is play and there is a lot of learning that goes on in learning centers!

Public libraries are the only government-funded educational centers where service is available to all children free of charge. Everyone is welcome to drop by the library and see the wonderful things going on in the children’s area … but please do not disturb the smallest patrons who are hard at work in the Early Childhood Literacy Center.

Jackson was one of the first children to explore some the new things in the children’s area – from the look of concentration on his face, we think he approves!

If you have an ereader, computer, tablet, or smart phone and you’re not taking advantage of our virtual library to check out completely free ebooks, audiobooks, and music … then what are you waiting for? Here’s what you need to know to get started.

To select our library from the list of participating libraries, click on the arrow by “select library” and choose the Thomas J. Harrison Pryor Public Library from the list.

If you have a library card, type the card number (found on the back of your card) in the top box. Your PIN is automatically set as your last name (all lower-case.) If you don’t have a card, bring a photo ID and proof of address to the library and we’ll have you fixed up within minutes! If you have a card but it won’t let you log in, call us at 918-825-0777 or shoot us a facebook message or email.

Now you’re logged in! Click on “menu” to see categories of materials, or type titles, authors or subjects in the search box. If you get stuck or have problems getting items to work with your device, there’s useful information under the “help” icon. And of course, you can always contact us and we’ll do our best to get you set up and reading.

Tomorrow, December 6th, stop by for cookies before the Christmas parade. The parade starts at 7:00 pm, and our front lawn is a great place to see all the action! While you’re here, feel free to take advantage of our free wifi… and of course, all the free books, movies, magazines, and other great things we have to offer. If you don’t currently have a library card, just bring a photo ID and proof of address, and we’ll fix you right up.

For toddlers (and their caregivers) we have special holiday-themed Saturday storytimes on December 8th, 15th, and 22nd, at 10:00 am. And don’t forget our regular storytimes on Wednesdays, also at 10:00 am.

On Monday December 17th, we’ll the hosting “Christmas, Chocolate and Cookies” – a fun night of games and food. Bring a $5 gift for Dirty Santa and 4 dozen cookies for the cookie exchange. We’ll provide snacks!

Kids, it’s time to start turtle hunting! The 2012 Summer Reading Program kicks off May 29th with our annual turtle races. Never participated in a turtle race before? All you have to do is show up at the library at either 9:30 am or 12:30 pm with a turtle (no snapping turtles, please!) and we’ll take care of the rest.

Then come back to the library every Tuesday from June 5th through July 31st for a host of amazing programs.

Here’s what you need to know about the Summer Reading Program:

* The theme this year is Dream Big, READ!

* Each Tuesday the same program will be offered twice, once in the morning (9:00 – 10:30), and once in the afternoon (12:30 – 2:00).

* Ages are Pre-K through 5th grade.

* Entertainment includes magicians, storytellers, singers, and puppeteers. You’ll even get a chance to make your own dreamcatcher, learn about nocturnal animals, and help create a quilt!

So come on down, pick up your welcome packet, find some books, and get reading … and dreaming.

Arizona resident Lelah was in Mayes County visiting family when she decided to pay a visit to the town of her youth. Lelah just intended to drive around Pryor looking for familiar places from her growing-up years, but when she asked a passerby where she might find information about the school she attended, she was directed to the library.

Before long she’d made a friend in our Genealogy librarian, Leslie Trogdon, and found more than she ever expected.

One of the unexpected things Lelah found was information about a long-lost classmate. She remembers attending grade school in New Mexico with a girl named Carmen. Later when Lelah’s family moved to the Pryor area, she felt that one of her new classmates looked very familiar – and soon realized that it was Carmen! After graduation Lelah lost track of Carmen and had always wondered what had happened to her.

When Ms. Trogdon opened a Pryor High School annual, there was Carmen’s picture. Then they were able to use findagrave.com to discover more information about Carmen and even see pictures of her as an adult. “It’s like a miracle!” Lelah said.

Pryor’s Main Street after the 1942 tornado.

She also found her own school pictures, and pictures from the Pryor tornado of 1942, which she remembers clearly.

“I found things I never dreamed I would find!”

You will finds all sorts of information in our Genealogy and local history archives – photographs, newspaper archives dating back to the days before statehood, school annuals, funeral records, and access to genealogy resources like Family Search, Heritage Quest, and Ancestry. Call us for more information: 918-825-0777.

And if you have local memories of your own, please share with us. Leave a comment here, or on Facebook, or come visit us in person. We want to hear your stories!